i

Preface

The best way to understand the culture of any country is to study the status of its

women. The status of modern Indian women is a sort of contradiction. There are some

spectacular examples of individual success of many women at different levels, but the

oppression, discrimination make the life of others intolerable. Social narrow-mindedness

and economic rejection on the basis of gender haunt them everywhere in their life.

Gender inequality in the field of education employment and health are very common in

most of the developing countries. It becomes a well known fact that no nation can

progress if its women are not treated fairly.

At the international level, Seneca Falls convention opened the gates for Women’s

Right movement, which flourishes later on under the umbrella of UN charter, UDHR and

CEDAW and many other international legal instruments. These instruments laid down

the basic minimum standards to be adopted by the member countries to eliminate

discrimination and violence against women. After Independence constitution adopted the

principle of equality and non-discrimination but, at the same time made special

provisions for women and children. Accordingly, legislature enacted several laws in

favour of women to protect the rights and uphold the dignity of women.

Despite the existence of numerous laws for the protection of women, violence and

discrimination against women continues unabated. The dowry is the most heinous among

all other offences against married women as it destroys the faith upon which the

relationship of men and women stand. The malaise of discrimination in the matter of

personal law is a concern for everyone but our Government has not enacted Uniform

Civil Code till now. The absence of specific legislation in the area of sexual harassment

is another gloomy area of our legal system. Only ray of hope is Judiciary, whose gender

sensitive approach is no doubt praise worthy.

A sincere attempt has been made by the researcher to evaluate the existing laws

in favour of women with special reference to dowry deaths in West Bengal, to identify the

loopholes in it and the verdict of the Judiciary in that respect.

ii

Acknowledgements

It has been possible for me to complete this thesis due to the guidance, support and

encouragement of several people. At the end of my thesis it gives me pleasure to thank all

those people who have contributed in different ways to the successful completion of my

thesis.

First and foremost, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my Guide Dr. Dipak

Das, Reader in Law, University of Burdwan, Burdwan, West Bengal. This work would

not have been possible without his guidance, support and encouragement.

I express my deepest regards to Prof. (Dr.) S. S. Singh, for the belief and faith he has

shows in me. I am really indebted to him for taking time out to help me in the completion

of this thesis.

I convey my profound sense of respect to Prof. (Dr.) A. H. Mondal for his enlightened

guidance and constant encouragement during the preparation of this thesis.

I am fortunate to have a group of wonderful individuals as friends like Shashi Nath

Mondal, Mukulika Dinda, Giaul Alam, Sukumar Khamrai. They are always with me

during happy and hard times and constantly encouraging and motivating me.

I would like to thank my friend Mr. Pradip Chatterjee for his assistance in the formatting

of this thesis.

I acknowledge my indebtedness to all the library staffs of the Central Library, University

of Burdwan, Burdwan, West Bengal.

I am grateful to my brothers Dr. Bijan Kumar Mukherjee and Mr. Sujan Kumar

Mukherjee, for their help in the collection of data related to my research work.

I express my indebtedness to my parents and parents-in-law, whose constant support and

encouragement has made the completion of this thesis possible.

iii

I am obliged to my husband Raju, whose critical comments and suggestions helped me to

refine my work. He has supported and motivated me with love and patience in this

endeavour.

At last, I would like to mention the name of my five years old Son Rishi, whose time I

have curtailed for doing my research work. I am really indebted to him for not disturbing

me during the course of this study. To him I dedicate this thesis.

iv

Declaration

I declare that this Thesis entitled “WOMEN PROTECTION AND LAW – A LEGAL

ANALYSIS WITH REFERENCE TO DOWRY DEATHS IN WEST BENGAL” is the

outcome of my own work conducted under the guidance of Dr. Dipak Das, Reader in

Law, at the University of Burdwan, Burdwan, West Bengal.

I further declare that to the best of my knowledge this Thesis does not contain any part of

work, which has been submitted for the award of any degree in any University.

Further, all the materials and resources used to carry out this study have been fully and

properly acknowledged and cited. Furthermore, no part of this study has been published

anywhere.

Mousumi Mukherjee

(Research Scholar)

v

CERTIFICATE

vi

List of Abbreviation

CEDAW - Convention on Elimination of Discrimination Against Women

CNWW - Convention Concerning Night Work of Women.

Cr.P.C - Criminal Procedure Code.

CRC - Convention on the Rights of the Child.

CRPD - Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

CS - Charge Sheet

CSTWFA - Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic of Women of Full

Age

DEVAW - Declaration of Elimination of Violence Against Women.

DPA - Dowry Prohibition Act.

FRMF - Final Report Mistake of Fact.

FRT - Final Report

FWCW - Fourth World Conference on Women

GOVT. - Government

HAMA - Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act.

ICCPR - International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

ICESCR - International Covenant on Economic Social and Culture Rights.

ICT - International Convention against Torture.

IDA - Indian Divorce Act.

ILO - International Labour Organisation

IPC - Indian Penal Code.

ITA - Information Technology Act.

MPC - Maternity Protection Convention.

MTPA - Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act.

OAS - Organization of American States.

PNDTA - Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act.

PWDVA - Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act.

UDHR - Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

UNDP - United Nations Development Programmes

vii

Table of Cases

A.A.Abdulla v A.B.Mohumana Saiyadbhai…….………………………………….…………145

A.P. vs P.B. Vijoy Kumar………………………………………………………………………..80

Abdul Kadir v. Salima ……………………………………………………………………127, 131

Air India v. Nargesh Meerza…………………………………………………………….204, 243

Amalendra Kumar Vs.State of Bihar….………………………………………….…………..203

Amit v State of Uttar Pradesh……………………………………………...………………….235

Amna Khatoon vs. Md. Kashim Ansari ……………………………………….……………..257

Anand Mohan Sen and Another v. State of West Bengal……………………………….….223

Anil Kumar Vs. Sunita…………………….…………..………………………………………..258

Anita Sharma V. Nil……………………………………..………………….…………………..126

Anuj Garg v.Hotel Association of India ……………………………………..……….……..204

Aparna Basu Mallick v. Bar Council of India …………………………………….………..207

Apprel Export Promotion Council v. A.K. Chopra……………………..……..……..173, 245

Arjun Toppo …………………………………………………………….……………………….235

Arun Vyas and another v. Amita Vyas…………………………………………………..….. 240

Asha Kumari v.Satish Kumar…………………………...……………………………….123, 251

B. Shah v. P.O., Labour Court……………………………………………………………...…242

B.P. Achala Anand v. S. Appi Reddy AIR…………………………...……………………….142

Babu Rao Parashuram Ukharde & Ors. Appellants Vs.Smt. Laxmibai & Ors…………268

Baghu Ban Saudagar Singh v. State of Punjab……………………………………………..206

Bai Tahira v Ali Hussain……………………………………..………………………………..145

Bandhwa Mukti Morcha Vs. Union of India ………………………………………………..208

Beney Bhusan Chakravarty v. Govind Chandra Sharma………………………….………204

Benny Mathew VS. Philomena1…………………………………………………..…………..260

Benumadabpadhi v. state………………………………………………………………………220

Bhagat v. Bhagat………………………………………………………………………………..222

Bhagwant Singh v. Commr. of police, Delhi………………………………………….……..237

Bhajju alias Karan Singh v. State of M.P……………………………………………………225

Bhogadi vs. Vuggina ……………………………………………………………………..127, 252

Bobby Art International v Ompal Singh Hoon………………………………………………214

Bodhisattwa Goutam V. Subhra Chakraborty………………………………………...…….233

viii

Brij Lal v Prem Chand ………………………………………………………….……………..219

Brishnupriya Sutradhar v.Nipendra Sutradhar……………………………..………….….263

C. Masilmami Mudaliar Vs. Idol of Sri Swamina Thaswami Thirukoil……………….…208

C.B. Muthamma v. Union of India……………………………………………...………204, 205

CEHAT V. Union of India ……………………………………………………………………..227

Chakki v. Ayyappan ………………………………………………………………….……..….252

Chandakrant Rakodhar V. State of Maharashtra ………………………………………….214

Chandan Bilasini Dasi v.Allabuddin Khan……………………………….…………………161

Chetan Das v. Kamla Devi…………………………………………………………………….257

Chitra Agarwal (Dr.) v. State of Uttaranchal……………………………………...………..227

D. Velusamy versus D. Patchaimmal…………………………………………………..…….248

Dalbir Singh v. State of UP……………………………………………………………………218

Danial Latifi & Another v. Union of India……………………………...……………..145, 263

Dattatrays Motiram v. State of Bombay……………………………………………..……….203

Delhi Domestic Working Women’s Forum vs. U.O.I…………………………….…….99, 232

DG, Doordarshan v. Anand Patwardhan……………………………………………...…….215

Dharwad District PWD Employees Association v. State of Karnataka………………….204

Dimple Singla v.Union of India…………………….…………………………………………208

Dr. Jacob George v. State of Kerala………………………………….……….……………..227

Dr. Kiran Robinson vs. Ajeet Malcolm Robinson and Others……….…………………....239

Dr. Prem Mittal vs. State of Rajasthan………………………………………...……….……252

Dumpala Chandra Reddy v.Nimakayala Bali Reddy…………………………………..…..218

Durga Prasanna Vs. Arundhati……………………………………………………...………..257

Dwarika Prasad Satpathy v.Bidyut Proya………………………………………...…………..87

Fazlenbi vs. K. Khader………………………………………...…………………………145, 254

Francis Coralie Mullin V The Administrator, Union Territory of Delhi….…81, 234, 236

G. Dasaratha Rama Rao vs state of Andhra Pradesh…………………………………….80

G. Ramakrishna Pillai v.j.Vijaya Kumari Amma………………….…………………..……251

Gajendra VS. Smt. Madhu Mati……………………………………………………………….258

Gajre v. Pathankhan………………………………………………………………………..…..264

Gaurav Jain V. Union of India…………………………………………..……96, 107, 166, 210

Gautam Kundu v. State of West Bengal………………………………………..…………….210

Gayathri Devi Vs. State of Orissa…………………………………………………...………..209

Geeta Hariharan & Anor. Vs. Reserve Bank of India………………………………….…..264

ix

Gita Hariharan v. Reserve Bank of India………………………………………..…………..166

Gouri Shankar Chakravarty Vs. Smt. Basana Roy…………………………………..……..258

Government of A P v. P.B. Vijay Kuma……………………………………………….……..209

Gurbachan Singh v. Satpal Singh……………………………………………………………..241

Gurdev v. Channo………………………………………………………………….…………..143

Gurdit Singh v. Mst. Angrez Kaur……………………………………………………..……..260

Haans Raj v. State of Punjab………………………………………………………………….240

Hirachand Srinivas Managaonkar v. Sunanda.……………………………………...……..251

J.P. Singh v. TELCO………………………………………………………………………..…..244

Inder Raj Malik v. Mrs. Sunita Malik………………………………………………………...239

J & K vs. Triloki Nath Khosa …………………………………………………………………207

J.P.Singh v Telco………………………………………………………………………….…….207

Jagannathan Pillai Vs. Kunjithapadam Pillai………………………………………………266

Jameel v. State of Maharashtra ……………………………………………..………………..235

Jasbir Singh vs. Inderjeet Kaur……………………………………………………………….260

Jhondu v. Mst.Hussaini Bibi…………………………………………………………..………129

Jiwan Lal v State of H.P.……………………………………………………………………….242

John Vallamattom v. Union of India …………………………………………………………212

K. A. Abbas V. Union of India…………………………………………………………………214

K.M. Negamallppa v.B.J.Ledoor………………………………………………….…………..148

K.M. Negamallppa v.B.J.Ledoor……………………………………………….………………86

Kailash v. State of M.P…………………………………………………………………...…….221

Kakali Dass Vs. Dr. Asish Kumar………………………………………………….…………256

Kalluvalappil v. Parayangat Voorankutttj ………………………………………………….253

Kamlesh Panjiyar Vs State of Bihar………………………………………………………….219

Kapore Chand v Kadar Unnissa Begum……………………………………………………..155

Karan sing v.state of Emperor…………………………………………………...……………101

Kasibai vs Parvatibai ………………………………………………………………………….265

Kharak Singh vs. State of U.P……………………………………………….…………………80

Kirtikant D. Vadodaria v. State of Gujarat and anothe……………………………………143

Krishan Paul v.Ashok Kumar Paul…………………………………………...………………123

Krishanlal v Union of India……………………………………………………………………237

Kundula Bala Subrahmaniam V State of A.P…………………………………………..……220

Kunhimohammed v. Ayishakutty……………………………………………….……………..145

x

Lachman Utamchand Kirpalani Vs. Meena alia Mota…………………………....……….255

Lata Singh vs State of UP………………………………………………………………….…..253

Lily Thomas vs. Union of India and Other ……………………………………….…….10, 259

LRs Be Ors V Director of Land Reforms ………………………………………………...….268

M. Palani vs. Meenakshi……………………………………………..…………………..120, 178

M.V. Manjunam Gouda v state of kerala ……………………………………………...……221

M/s. Mackinnon Mackenzie and Co. Ltd. Vs. Audrey D’Costa and another……...…….208

Main Pal v State of Haryana………………………………………………………..…………218

Malpani Infertility Clinic (p) Ltd v. Approprite Authority PNDT Act………………..….227

Management of K.E.J. Tea and industries Ltd. Case V. Chief Inspector of

Plantation……………………………………………………………………………...…………244

Maneka Gandhi vs Union of India……………………………………………………………..80

Mangatmul V. Punni Devi ………………………………………………………………….…262

Manjit Singh v. Savita Kirna……………………………..……………….……………..143, 262

Manjula v.K.R.Mahesh…………………………………………………………………………238

Mary Roy Vs. State of Kerala……………………………………………….…………..157, 267

Milan Kumar Singh vs. State of U.P. …………………………………………………...……249

Mohammed Allahabad Khan v. Mohammad Ismail …………………………..……..164, 265

Mohd.Ahmed Khan v. Shah Bano Begum ………………..…………………86, 144, 145, 211

Mohinuddin Middya vs. State of West Bengal and Another………………………..……..259

Moonshee Buzloor Ruheem v. Shumsoonissa Begum …………………………..……130, 132

Ms. Jordan Deigndeh v. S. S. Chopra …………………………………………………...…..211

Mst. Shabnam vs. Mohd. Shafiq……………………………………………………………….253

Muhamma Latheef, slo K. Sainudheen vs. Nishath ………………………...……..…252, 255

Municipal Corporation of Delhi vs. Female Workers (Muster Roll)

and nother…………………………………………………………………………….…………209

Muzaffar Ali Sajjad and Others vs. State of Andhra Pradesh ……………………………254

Nain such v. State of U.P………………………………………………………………………203

Nallam Veera Satyanandam vs State of A.P………………………………………….……..222

Nand Kishore Sharma v Union of India………………………………………………….…..227

Nanu v. vasantha……………………………………………..…………………………………..87

Narinder Kumar v.Chander Prabha…………………………….…………….………..123, 251

Nathu v.State of U.P……………………………………………………………..……………..226

Naveen Kohli Vs. Neelu Kohli ………………………………………………………………..257

xi

P. Sagar Vs. State of A.P……………………………………………………………………….203

Padmraj Samerendra v. State of Bihar……………………………………………….………203

Pani Bhusan Behera v. State of Orissa…………………………………………..…………..234

Pannilal v Rajinder Singh & Anor ……………………………………………………..…….265

Pawan Kumar v. State of Haryana …………………………………………………………..221

Poonam Gupta VS. Ghanshyam Gupta ……………………………………………..….……238

Pratap Singh Vs. Union of India………………………………………………………………266

Preethimon And Anr. vs State Of Kerala…………………………………………………….215

Prem Kumar Dhandu vs. State of Rajasthan ……………………………………………….224

Pritam Singh v.State of H.P …………………………………………………………………..219

Punjab v. Major Singh……………………………………………………………………….…216

Rabindra PayeralalBidlan v.State of Maharastra…………………………………...……..103

Radhabai vs. Union Territory of Pondicherry ………………………………………...……228

Radhacharan Patnayak Vs. State of Orissa………………………………………………….207

Rafiq v. State of U.P………………………………………………………………………..…..231

Raibari Behera v.Mangaraj Behera……………………………………...………………86, 149

Raj Kapoor v. Laxman………………………………………………………………………….214

Raj Kumar Prasad Tamakar vs. State of Bihar………………………………………….….225

Rajammal v State………………………………………………………………………….…….237

Ram Badan Sharma v. State of Bihar……………………………………………….………..221

Ram Chandra Mohton v. State of Bihar ……………………………………………………..204

Ram Kripal v. State of M. P………………………………………………………………..….216

Ramesh Chandra Kaushal v. Mrs. Venna Kaushal……………………………….………….85

Ramesh Kumar v. State of Chhattisgarh …………………………………………………….241

Rameshwar vState of Rajasthan………………………………………………………...…….234

Ranbhir Singh vs Union of India ………………………………………………...…………….81

Randhir Singh v. State of Punjab…………………………………………………..…………223

Ranjit D Udeshi V. State of Maharastra …………………………….………………………213

Re Ratnamala……………………………………………………………………………………228

Regina Guha…………………………………………………………………...………………….79

Rishi Kumar v State of Haryana …………………………………………………………..…249

Rohtas singh v.Smt.Romendri ………………………………………………………….……..262

Romesh Chander VS. Smt. Savitri ………………………………………………..…………..259

Roopa Reddy v.Pravakar Reddy ………………………………………………………….…..251

xii

Roopan Deol Bajaj v. KPS Gill…………………………………………….…...……..217, 219

S. Jayomiti v.S.Jayaramam………………………………………….………………………..143

S.R.Batra and Anr. V. Smt Taruna Batra …………………………………………….……..247

Sakshi V. Union of India……………………………………………………………….………236

Samaresh Bose v. Amal Mitra…………………………………………………..……………..214

Sandha Thakur vs. Vimaldevi Kushwaha ……………………………………………………261

Sandhya Manoj Wankhade vs. Manoj Bhimrao Wankhade & Ors…………………….…249

Sanichar Sahni …………………………………………………………………………….……218

Santosh Kumar V. Surjit Singh………………………………………………...………..100, 252

Santosh v. Sarastoti Bai…………………………………………………..……………………150

Saraj Rani vs. Sudarshan Kumar Chadha …………………..………………………..123, 251

Sarla Mudgal v. Union of India…………………………………………….………82, 101, 211

Satvir Singh and others vs. State of Punjab……………………..…………………91,111, 222

Savitha vs. U.O.I. ………………………………………………………………………….……267

Seema vs. Ashwani Kumar ……………………………………………………….……..122, 253

Sehat and ors Vs. Union of India………………………………….………………………….118

Shaheda Khatoon v. Amjed Ali……………………………………..…………………….…….86

Shahzada Qanum v.Fakher Jahan……………………………………………….…….……..130

Shakuntala Devi v. Amarnath ……………………………………..………………………… 252

Shakuntalabai v. Kulkarni……………………………………………..………………………126

Sham Sunder Vs. Sushma Judgments Today …………………………………………..……256

Shantha v. B. G. Shivananjappa …………………………………………………………...…262

Shanti vs State of Haryana……………………………………...……………………………..103

Shefali Banerjee v. State……………………………………………………………………….228

Shivani Chattopadhyaya v.Siddarth Chattapadhyaya…………………………………87, 262

Shivraj Chandrappa Yadav Vs. State of Maharastra………………………………………218

Shobha Rani v. Madhukar Reddi ……………………………………………………………..239

Shri Daud Mohamad v State ………………………………………………………………….238

Smt Saroj Rani vs. Sudarshan Kumar Chadha…………………………………………...…258

Smt. Chandan Bilasini by L.Rs vs. Allabuddin Khan ……………………………….……..265

Smt. Nitu alias, Asha Vs. Krishan Lal …………………………………………………...…..258

Som Mittal v Govt. of Karnataka…………………………………………………….………..223

Sowmithri Vishnu V. Union of India …………………………………………………………102

Sree Kumar V. Pearly Karun……………………………………………………….…………236

xiii

State of A.P. vs. Thakkidiram Reddy…………………………………..……………………..218

State of Karnataka v.Basavaraju ………………………………………………………..……237

State of Kerela v. Hamsa……………………………………………………………..………..217

State of M.P. vs. Babulal ……………………………………………………………..….233, 247

State of Maharashtra v Madhukar Narayan Mardikar…………………..…………….…231

State of Punjab V. Gurmit Singh………………………………………………………….…..233

State of Punjab v. Karnail Singh…………………………………………………….…..……225

State of Punjab Vs. Baldev Singh……………………………………………………………..217

State of Punjab vs. Major Singh………………………………………………………………..90

State of Rajasthan v Jaggu Ram………………………………………………………………224

State of Rajasthan v Noor Khan……………………………………………………..………..234

State of Rajasthan vs. Kashi Ram………………………………………………………..……225

State of U.P. v Pappu……………………………………………………………………..……233

State of U.P. v Satish; Bantu v State of U.P.; Rameshbhai Chandubhai Rathod v State of

Gujrat……………………………………………………………………………………………..235

State of west Bengal v Orilal Jaisawal……………………………………………..………..224

State of west Bengal v.Laisal Haque …………………………………………………….…..218

State of west Bengal v.Orilal Jaiswal………………………………...………………………103

Subramani and Others vs. Chandralekha …………………………………………….……..259

Sudhansubala Hazra……………………………………………………………………………..79

Sudhir Singhal vs Neeta Singhal ……………………………………………………….…… 258

Sunil Batra vs Delhi Administration………………………………………...…………………80

Supriya Chakraborty (Nee Paramanik) vs. Champak K …………………………….…….260

Suresh Khullar v.Vijay Kumar Khullar ………………………………………………..…….250

Suresha Devi v Om prakash………………………………………..…………………………126

Surjit Kaur v. Garja Singh and Ors ………………………………………………………….252

Surjit Singh v. Kanwaljit Kaur ……………………………………………….……………….210

Sushil Kumar Sharma v. Union of India & others……………………………………104, 222

T.K. Surendra v P. Najima Bindu & Another …………………………………...………….263

Thakur Pal Singh…………………………………………………………………………..……142

Thotasesha Rathamma Vs. 'Thota Manikyamma………………………………………..….266

Trimukh Maroti Kirkan vs. State of Maharashtra……………………………………..……224

Tukaram V State of Maharashtra………………………………...…………………………….98

U.P. v. Chhotey Lal…………………………………………………………………………..…231

xiv

Union of India v.J.N. De………………………………………………………...……………..191

Unni Kumar……………………………………………………………………………...………228

Usman Khan v Fatimunnisa Begum……………………………………………...…………..145

Uttam Kumar v State……………………………………………………………………….…..234

Uttarakand Mahila Kalyana Parishad Vs. State of A.P. ………………………….………244

V. Bhagat vs. Mrs. D. Bhagat ………………………………………………………………...239

Valsamma Paul vs. Cochin University and Others ………………………………...………261

Vandana vs. Mrs. Jasyanti Krishnamachari & Others…………………...………….119, 177

Velamuri Venkata Siva Prasad Vs. KothuriVenkateswarlu …………………………...….266

Vijay Kumar Sharma v. State of Uttar Pradesh ………………….…………….…….227, 249

Vijay Lakshmi v. Punjab University…………………………………………….…………….206

Vijaya vs.Kashirao 1986 …………………...……………………………………………..86, 147

Vijoy Ratna Sharma v. State of U.P……………………………………………………………88

Vikramdeo Singh Tomar Vs. State of Bihar……………………………………………..…..244

Vinita saxena v pankaj pandit ……………………………………………………………..….238

Vinod Soni v.Union of India …………………………………………………………………..227

Virbhan Singh v State…………………………………………………………………….…….237

Vishaka Vs. State of Rajasthan………………………………………………………….171, 245

Vishal Jeet V. Union of India …………………………………………………………….96, 210

Yamanaji H. Jadhav v. Nirmala ………………………………………………………..…….260

Yudhister Singh Vs. Sarita ………………………………………………………………...…..256

Yusuf Abdul Aziz v.State………………………………….…………………………………….102

Yusuf v. Sowramma…………………………………………………….……………………….133

xv

List of Statutes

1. The Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872

2. The Indian Succession Act, 1925

3. The Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929

4. The Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act, 1936

5. The Dissolution of Muslim Marriage Act, 1939

6. The Factories Act, 1948

7. The Special Marriage Act, 1954

8. The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955

9. The Hindu Succession Act, 1956

10. The Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956

11. The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956

12. The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961

13. The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961

14. The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971

15. The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976

16. The Family Courts Act, 1984

17. The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986

18. The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986

19. The Commission of Sati Prevention Act, 1987

20. The National Commission for Women Act, 1990

21. The Human Rights Act, 1993

22. The Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misure)

Act, 1994

23. The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000

24. The Domestic Violence Act, 2005

xvi

Summary of Table of Contents

1. Chapter 1 : Introduction ……………..…………………..…………… 1

2. Chapter 2 : Women Protection under International Law ………..…… 10

3. Chapter 3 : Legislative response towards Women Protection- An

Analysis with Special Reference to Dowry Deaths in

West Bengal …………………………………………..….. 77

4. Chapter 4 : Role of Judiciary towards Women Protection ……………. 199

5. Chapter 5 : Empirical Survey over Dowry Related Offences …………..270

6. Chapter 6 : Conclusions and Suggestion …………………………….… 316

xvii

Table of Contents

Preface ………………………………………………………………………………….….. i

Acknowledgement ………………………………………………………………………… ii

Declaration ………………………………………………………………………………... iv

Certificate ………………………………………………………………………………….. v

List of Abbreviations ……………………………………………………………………... vi

Table of Cases …………………………………………………………………………….. vii

List of Statutes …………………………………………………………………………….. xv

Summary of Table of Contents …………………………………………………………. xvi

CHAPTER - 1 : Introduction ………………………………….…………. 1

1. Ancient India ……………………………………………………………… 3

2. Medieval India …………………………………………………………….. 4

3. India during British period ………………………………………………… 4

4. Post Independence Period ………………………………………………… 5

5. Need of the present Study …………………………………………………. 7

6. Objectives …………………………………………………………………. 8

7. Hypotheses ………………………………………………………………… 8

8. Methodology ………………………………………………………………. 9

9. Plan of the Study ………………………………………………………....... 9

CHAPTER - 2: Women Protection under International Law ……….… 10

PART-I : International Consensus up to1944 ……………………………..……. 13

1. Magna Carta ……………………………………………………………….. 13

2. Bill of Rights ……………………………………………………………… 14

3. Declaration of American Independence …………………………………… 14

4. Declaration of Rights of Women and of the Female Citizen ……………….15

5. The Seneca Falls Convention ………………………………….….………. 15

6. Geneva Conventions………………………………………………………....15

7. League of Nations …………………………………………………………...16

8. Convention concerning Night Work of Women ……………………………..16

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9. Maternity Protection Convention 1919……………………………………...17

10. International Instruments relating to the Traffic of Women for Prostitution .17

11. 1926 Slavery Convention ………………………………………………….. 18

12. Forced Labour Convention 1930 …………………………………………. 19

PART-II : Development of women rights from 1945-1975 …………………....... 20

1. United Nation Charter……………………………………………………… 20

2. Universal Declaration of Human Rights …………………………………….22

3. The Human Rights Covenants …………………………………………….. 26

4. Commission on the Status of Women …………………………………….. 32

5. Convention concerning the Employment of Women on underground Work in

mines of all kinds …………………………………………………………. 32

6. Convention concerning Night Work of Women Employed in

Industry 1948………………………………………………………………. 33

7. Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation

of the Prostitution of others 1949 ………………………………….……… 33

8. Convention concerning Equal Remuneration for Men and Women workers for

work of Equal Value 1951 ……………………………………..…………....34

9. 1953 Convention on the Political Rights of Women ……………………… 35

10. Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery, the Slave Trade and

Institutions and Practices Similar to Slavery of 1956 …………….……… 36

11. Abolition of Forced Labour Convention 1957 …………………………… 37

12. 1957 Convention on the Nationality of Married Women ………………... 38

13. 1958 Convention Concerning Discrimination in Respect of Employment and

Occupation ……………………………………………………………….. 38

14. 1960 Convention against Discrimination in Education ………………….. 39

15. 1962 Convention on the Consent to Marriage ……………………………. 40

16. Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women 1967 …. 40

17. Declaration of Mexico 1975 ………………………………………………. 41

PART-III : Recent International Consensus ………………………………….. 44

1. World Plan of Action ……………………………………………………… 44

2. United Nations decade for Women Equality, Development and Peace

1976-1985 …………………………………………….…………………… 45

3. International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of

Women ……………………………………………………………………. 45

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4. The Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against

Women ……………………………………………………………………. 45

5. World Conference of the United Nations decade for Women …………… 49

6. Convention against Torture 1984 and its Optional Protocol ………………..50

7. Optional Protocol to the Convention against torture …………………….. 51

8. World Conference to review and appraise the achievements of the United Nation

decade for Women ………………………………………………………… 52

9. United Nation Development Fund for Women ……………………………. 53

10. Convention on the Rights of the Child ……………………………………. 54

11. World Conference on Human Rights at Vienna 1993…………………….. 55

12. Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women 1993 ……… 56

13. Fourth World Conference on Women 1995 ………………………………. 57

14. Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination

against Women 1999 ……………………………………………………… 59

15. United Nations Millennium Declaration 2000 ……………………………. 60

16. World Summit Outcome Document 2005 …………………………………..60

17. Convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities 2006 …………….. 61

18. United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People 2007 …… 62

19. Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic Social and

Cultural Rights 2008 ……………………………………………………… 63

PART-IV : Regional Development of Women Rights ………………………….. 64

1. The European Mechanism …………………………………………………..64

2. The American Mechanism …………………………………………………..66

3. The African Mechanism …………………………………………………….68

4. The Asia Pacific Mechanism ……………………………………………… 68

5. Legal Development and its impact at Regional Level ……………………. 70

PART-V : International Legal Instruments and Law relating to Dowry Deaths. 72

CHAPTER-3 : Legislative Response Towards Women Protection ..… 77

PART-I : Women Protection under Constitution of Law ………………………. 79

1. Preamble ……………………………………………………………….…. 79

2. Fundamental Rights ……………………………………………………… 79

3. Directive Principle of State Policy ………………………………………. 81

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PART-II : Women protection under criminal law ……………………………… 84

1. Criminal Procedure Code ………………………………………………… 85

2. Indian Penal Code and Indian Evidence Act ……………………………... 88

3. Special Laws …………………………………………………………….. 104

3.1 The Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929 …………………………. 104

3.2 The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 ……………………. 105

3.3 The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 ………………………………… 108

3.4 The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 ……………………………….. 109

3.5 The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 ………………. 112

3.6 The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986 … 113

3.7 The Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987 …………………. 115

3.8 The Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention

of misuses) Act, 1994 ……………………………………... 117

3.9 The Domestic Violence Act, 2005 ………………………………… 118

PART-III : Women protection under personal laws ……………………….….. 121

1. Law relating to marriage and divorce ………………………………….… 121

1.1 Hindu ……………………………………………………………. 122

1.2 Muslim ………………………………………………………….. 127

1.3 Christian ………………………………………………………… 134

1.4 Parsi ……………………………………………………………… 136

1.5 The Special Marriage Act, 1954 ………………………………… 138

2. Law relating to right of maintenance ……………………………………. 141

2.1 Hindu Women …………………………………………………… 141

2.2 Muslim Women …………………………………………………. 144

2.3 Christian Women ……………………………………………….. 146

2.4 Parsi Women ……………………………………………………. 147

2.5 Maintenance under Section 125 Cr.P.C. ……………………….. 147

3. Inheritance and property right of women ………………………………. 149

3.1 Hindu …………………………………………………………… 149

3.2 Muslim ………………………………………………………….. 152

3.3 Christian …………………………………………………………. 156

3.4 Parsi ……………………………………………………………… 158

4. Law relating to adoption right of women ………………………………… 161

4.1 Hindu Law ………………………………………………………… 161

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4.2 Muslim Law ………………………………………………………. 164

4.3 Christian and Parsi Laws …………………………………………. 164

5. Guardianship and custody rights of women ……………………………… 165

PART-IV : Law Relating to Working Women ………………………………….. 167

1. Women in an organized sector …………………………………………… 168

2. Sexual harassment of women of work place ……………………………... 171

PART-V : Law Relating to Domestic Violence ………………………………….. 174

PART-VI : Development of Women Rights under Family Court Act, 1984 …... 179

PART-VII : Protection of Women under The Human Rights Act ……………… 180

1. National Human Rights Commission ……………………………………. 180

2. State Human Rights Commission ………………………………………... 182

3. Human Rights Court ……………………………………………………… 183

PART-VIII : National Commission of Women for the Protection of Women’s

Rights …………………………………………………………………………….. 185

PART-IX : Dowry Deaths in West Bengal – A Special Reference ………….. 187

1. Dowry Regime in West Bengal ………………………………………….. 187

2. State Amendment of Dowry Prohibition Act …………………………….. 188

3. West Bengal Service Rules ………………………………………………. 189

4. Police Rules ………………………………………………………………. 191

5. Protection of the Women at the District Level ………………………….. 195

6. Inclusion of Dowry Problem within the School Syllabus ……………….. 196

CHAPTER - 4 : Role of Judiciary towards Women Protection ………. 199

PART-I : Judiciary as a Protector of Constitutional Rights …………………… 202

1. Right to Education ……………………………………………………….. 203

2. Political Rights …………………………………………………………… 203

3. Right to Equal Employment Opportunity …………………………………. 204

4. Right to Equality ………………………………………………………….. 207

5. Right to Live with Dignity ………………………………………………… 210

6. Rights against Exploitation ……………………………………………….. 210

7. Uniform Civil Court ………………………………………………………. 210

PART – II : Judiciary and Criminal Law …………………………………..…... 213

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1. Obscenity …………………………………………………………………. 213

2. Outraging the Modesty of Women ……………………………………….. 216

3. Dowry Deaths ……………………………………………………………... 219

4. Termination of Pregnancy of Female Foeticide ……………………………226

5. Kidnapping and Prostitution …………………………………………..….. 228

6. Rape ………………………………………………………………………. 230

7. Marital Rape ………………………………………………………………. 236

8. Cruelty by Husband and In-laws ………………………………………….. 237

9. Problems of Working Women and Judiciary ……………………………… 242

10. Judicial View of Domestic Violence ……………………………………… 247

PART – III : Judiciary and Personal Law ……………………………………… 250

1. Marriage …………………………………………………………………. 250

2. Divorce ………………………………………………………………….. 254

3. Maintenance …………………………………………………………….. 262

4. Judiciary on Guardianship and Adoption ……………………………….. 264

5. Right to Property ………………………………………………………… 266

CHAPTER-5 : An Empirical Survey over Dowry Related Offences ….. 270

PART – I : Analysis of Primary Data taken from Case Register in all the Police

Station under the Jurisdiction of Burdwan District Court …………………..….. 275

PART – II : Analysis of the Observations of the Opinion Survey ………………. 297

CHAPTER-6 : Conclusion and Suggestion…………….………………. 316

ANNEXURE – 1 : Questionnaire in Bengali ………………………....... 329

ANNEXURE – 2 : Questionnaire in English ………………………….. 332

ANNEXURE – 3 : Schedule in Bengali ……………..…………………. 335

BIBLIOGRAPHY ………………………..……………………………… 338